do you explain that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do you explain that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to clarify or provide an explanation about a specific topic or statement. Example: "I didn't quite understand your point. Do you explain that further?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

How do you explain that?

Independent

"How do you explain that?" he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Now how do you explain that?

The New York Times - Sports

"How do you explain that?" Leslie Wayne.

The New York Times

How do you explain that, Junior Senior?

The Guardian - Sport

What do you say to — how do you explain that?

The New York Times

"How do you explain that?" Mr. Neugebauer asked.

The New York Times

How do you explain that?" The crowd stopped shouting for a moment.

The New Yorker

How do you explain that?" "Not everybody agrees on what to do," Mr. Zimmer responded.

The New York Times

But how do you explain that long view to the public?

The New York Times

How do you explain that? A. I think they both know there's going to be a need for funding.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the context when using this phrase. It can sometimes come across as confrontational, so choose your words carefully.

Common error

While acceptable, excessive use of "do you explain that" in formal writing may make your tone sound overly interrogative. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "what is the explanation for that" or "can you clarify".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do you explain that" functions as an interrogative, seeking clarification or justification for a statement or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It prompts the listener to provide a coherent account or reason.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do you explain that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used interrogative expression aimed at eliciting clarification or justification. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for a wide range of communicative settings. When seeking alternatives, options like "how would you account for that" or "can you clarify that" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. When employing this phrase, consider the potential for confrontational undertones and adjust your language accordingly to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

How would you account for that?

Replaces "explain" with "account for", focusing on providing a reason or justification.

What's your explanation for that?

Changes the question to a request for a specific explanation.

Can you clarify that?

Focuses on making something clearer, implying potential ambiguity.

Could you elaborate on that?

Asks for more detail, suggesting the initial explanation was insufficient.

How do you justify that?

Implies a need to defend or validate the action or statement.

What's the rationale behind that?

Seeks the underlying reasoning or logic.

What's your take on that?

Asks for a personal perspective or interpretation.

How does that make sense?

Expresses confusion and requests an explanation to understand the logic.

Why is that the case?

Directly asks for the reason or cause of a particular situation.

What's the reason for that?

A more straightforward request for the cause or explanation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "do you explain that" to sound more polite?

You can soften the phrase by using alternatives such as "Could you elaborate on that?" or "Can you clarify "what you mean"?".

What's a more formal way to ask "do you explain that"?

For a more formal tone, consider "What is the explanation for that?" or "How would you account for "that"?".

When is it appropriate to use "do you explain that"?

It's suitable when you need someone to clarify or justify something that seems unclear, contradictory, or questionable.

Is "do you explain that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "do you explain that" is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in spoken English and informal writing.